College basketball roundtable: Who will win UAAP and NCAA this year?

The collegiate season is upon us, and the UAAP and NCAA seasons have not been this unpredictable in years.

With the basketball tournaments just days away, ESPN reporters Rob Andrew Dongiapon, Miguel Alfonso Caramoan, and Miguel Marco made their picks on who will come out on top in both the UAAP and NCAA leagues.

They also give their thoughts on the contenders in both tournaments, and what games to mark in every fan's calendar.

Here's your 2026 Philippines college basketball roundtable.

Who is your pick to win UAAP Season 89?

Miguel Caramoan: DLSU. Despite UP's stacked roster and UST's upside when they figure it out, I'll still bet that having a closer like Jacob Cortez makes DLSU the favorite to win it all again. However, I'm also intrigued by how much production they'll get from other guards and wings like Vhoris Marasigan and Earl Abadam; the final year of Mason Amos to stamp his class as one of the best shooting bigs in college basketball; how they fill the void of Mike Phillips inside the paint; and whether Luis Pablo will be that guy for the Green Archers.

Rob Andrew Dongiapon: UST. The UAAP championship has been elusive for the Growling Tigers, but this year feels different. Obviously, the team has splurged on their talents, recruiting NCAA Division 1 player Landyn Jumawan on top of other Filipino-American prospects Donovan Sevilla and Lorenzo Abellar. They have the best center in the UAAP in Collins Akowe, and the best wing rotation in the league with Mark Llemit, Gelo Crisostomo and Amiel Acido. While UP remains the favorite, there is a lot of reason to be optimistic about UST. I think people are undervaluing their depth and talent .

Miguel Marco: UST. As they enter the post-Nic Cabañero and Forthsky Padrigao era with a deeper and more balanced roster, several key players are poised to keep the Tigers growling this season. Mark Llemit flourished in the offseason and emerged as the team's next potential King Tiger. Amiel Acido provides a reliable threat from deep, and Koji Buenaflor continues to develop as a forward. Still only in his sophomore year, Collins Akowe has plenty of room to improve and further establish himself in the league. The addition of one-and-dones Donovan Sevilla, Landyn Jumawan, and Lorenzo Abellar, together with Tiger Cubs Kirk Cañete and Charles Esteban, further bolsters UST's depth and strengthens its title hopes. As Pido Jarencio put it: "Maghanda na kayo."

Who is your pick to win NCAA Season 102?

Caramoan: Letran. I'll bank on the continuity of Letran's core to take the championship back to Intramuros. The Knights certainly have the tools with their main offensive engine in Jonathan Manalili, scorer Jimboy Estrada paired with budding shooter Chad Gammad, proven big man in the NCAA in Kevin Santos, and the entry of Justin Cargo, Denzil Walker and George Diamante to the squad.

Dongiapon: JRU. It's hard to bet against a team that has proved it can deliver in the moments that matter most. The arrival of Lawrence Mangubat and Chris Hubilla gave the Heavy Bombers an identity and injected them with a championship DNA the program desperately needed. Sean Salvador, Ivan Panapanaan and Ivan Laurenaria have also shown they can be valuable contributors.

Marco: JRU. A stellar and surprising preseason run has earned the Heavy Bombers the tag of "crowd favorites" heading into the season. After completing their residency, Lawrence Mangubat and Christopher Hubilla wasted no time making their mark in JRU. The duo could hold the key to ending JRU's nearly five-decade championship drought.

Who is the dark horse in the UAAP?

Caramoan: FEU. It may not have been the preseason showing that FEU expected, but it can't be discounted that they have all the ingredients of a strong contender in the UAAP. Guard play is solidified with the presence of reigning MVP Janrey Pasaol, Jorick Bautista and Jedrick Daa, the presence of former Baby Tamaraws standouts in Kirby Moncopa and prized rookie Cabs Cabonillas, and dependable foreign student-athlete Mo Konateh. So it won't be shocking to see them crack the Final Four or even make it interesting for DLSU, UP, and UST.

Dongiapon: FEU. The Tamaraws have the MVP Janrey Pasaol, a spitfire guard in Jorick Bautista, and a formidable wing unit led by Kirby Mongcopa and Cabs Cabonilas. Their floor as a unit is high enough for FEU to be considered in the Final Four, and they should all take a leap to qualify the team as a championship contender. Watch out for the Tamaraws! They must be a fun team to watch!

Marco: Adamson. Despite finishing seventh with a 6-8 record last season, Adamson proved to be the kryptonite of top teams, taking down the likes of UP, DLSU, and UST. The Soaring Falcons are now without Cedrick Manzano, Matthew Montebon and AJ Fransman, so Ray Allen Torres will lead them as they look to string together consistent wins and finally secure a Final Four berth.

Who is the sleeper team in NCAA?

Caramoan: JRU. This is probably the only answer because JRU has already shown the hype isn't purely theoretical, with an impressive sweep of NCAA rival San Beda University in the 19th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup finals. The Heavy Bombers are in the same loaded group as San Beda, Benilde, Mapua, and Lyceum, so they won't have an easy path. But if JRU survives that group, I wouldn't be surprised if it becomes the team that nobody wants to face in the playoffs.

Dongiapon: Mapua. Adding a bona fide PBA champion coach Chito Victolero is a big development. Victolero is known to be a culture setter, and what better way for him to build a culture in Mapua than to propel the team to statement victories. With Yam Concepcion and Cy Cuenco leading the charge, expect the Cardinals to be the team you don't want to face in the Final Four.

Marco: Still JRU. San Beda and Letran (along with Season 100 champion Mapua) have dominated NCAA men's basketball over the past five years, but JRU has got what it takes to step up and build a dynasty.

One game you can't wait to watch in the UAAP?

Caramoan: UP vs. DLSU. This has become the defining rivalry of the modern UAAP, with the two programs meeting in the past three finals. I expect nothing but fireworks when they play one another.

Dongiapon: UP vs DLSU. It's must-see TV when these two proud teams face off in the UAAP. Right now, they are still the strongest collegiate programs in the country. Seeing them in the past three UAAP Finals, UP and DLSU will again be the hottest ticket in Manila.

Marco: UP vs DLSU. This is peak collegiate basketball. It's anyone's ballgame between these two teams, especially after they met in the finals in the past three years. Even if you're not an avid college hoops fan, watching these two top-caliber squads go head-to-head is enough to keep you on the edge of your seat.

One game you can't wait to watch in the NCAA?

Caramoan: San Beda vs. Letran. This jumps out immediately because of what happened last season. San Beda swept Letran in the Season 101 finals, but both teams enter Season 102 looking very different, which makes the next chapter of this rivalry even more intriguing.

Dongiapon: San Beda vs JRU. This was the FilOil Preseason Cup's finals, and it delivered. It gave a glimpse of what JRU could bring at the highest level. San Beda is out to prove itself the alpha of the NCAA, while JRU looks to be the next top dog. Their clash will surely be a joy to watch.

Marco: San Beda vs. JRU. The winningest team in NCAA history faces the favored underdog in the "Group of Death" matchup. This clash is worth watching as it could potentially signal the end of one era and the emergence of a new king in the NCAA. It is up to San Beda whether it can maintain its reign or if JRU rewrites the narrative in collegiate hoops.

Who is the coach with the most pressure to win?

Caramoan: Pido Jarencio. He has already spent three seasons rebuilding UST, taking the Growling Tigers to consecutive Final Four appearances. Now, after UST and San Miguel Corporation committed to keeping the partnership through UAAP Season 90, the expectations have understandably gone up. The Tigers have also added three one-and-dones including Landyn Jumawan to an already strong lineup led by foreign student-athlete Collins Akowe.

Dongiapon: Pido Jarencio. UST missed a finals spot last year, when they lost to UP, and there were subsequent rumblings about Jarencio's future until a two-year contract extension was signed. This year is different. They have loaded up with talent, and the players are all his recruits. This must be the year it all clicks for UST. They are positioned to win it all. Pido must deliver.

Marco: Chris Gavina. After an embarrassing coaching debut last season, and a four-game suspension, there is no doubt that Gavina carries the heaviest weight among coaches. He must redeem himself to the Red Warriors and strategize to finally snatch a win in Season 89. In all fairness, John Abate, Wello Lingolingo, and Precious Momowei had their share of moments, albeit resulting in losses. Lingolingo and Momowei, however, have since jumped ship, and Abate went pro. There is added pressure on Gavina as he will work on a younger, newer squad.

Your pick to win MVP in the UAAP?

Caramoan: Veejay Pre. I think the combination of motivation, responsibility and opportunity could put Pre in the perfect position to make the leap from Season 87 Rookie of the Year to Season 89 MVP. He already knows what it takes to produce in this league, and now, with UP needing him to become one of its primary leaders, I expect him to play with a different level of urgency to lead them to a championship.

Dongiapon: Jacob Cortez. He proved he can put a team on his back last season, leading DLSU to the UAAP championship. He will have a heavier offensive load this season with the departure of Mike Phillips. With high usage, Cortez can put on an emphatic MVP season that could not only boost his stock in the PBA draft but also get him a contract in neighboring Asian leagues.

Marco: Mark Llemit. Poised as the next King Tiger, the two-way guard flourished in the offseason, leading UST to titles in the Pinoyliga and AsiaBasket. His ability to impact both ends of the floor has made him one of the Tigers' most valuable cogs heading into the season. Llemit has the tools to emerge as an MVP contender and potentially lead UST to end its 20-year title drought.

Your pick to win MVP in the NCAA?

Caramoan: Jonathan Manalili. After taking home the Rookie of the Year, Freshman of the Year and a spot on the Mythical Five in his debut season, Manalili enters NCAA Season 102 with the experience and the responsibility to make an even bigger impact for Letran. With Allen Liwag sidelined for the season, the MVP race is suddenly wide open; it gives Manalili the chance to turn a brilliant freshman campaign into an MVP-caliber sophomore season to establish himself as the next face of the NCAA.

Dongiapon: Lawrence Mangubat. Give me Mangubat to control the tempo of any game. He is the engine of JRU's offense, and he will certainly be asked to do more this season to give the Heavy Bombers an even better chance at an NCAA championship. If Mangubat fills the stat sheet for JRU, expect an MVP award to land in JRU.

Marco: Jonathan Manalili. He is a playmaker who orchestrates Letran's offense with flair. His showmanship and court vision consistently bring a spark to Letran, yet he needs to exercise greater control and make smarter decisions. With another year of experience, sophomore Manalili is poised to make a bigger impact in the NCAA. He is a player the league should keep an eye on as a legitimate contender in the MVP race.